2014 articles

Why there's no turning back for GMO labelling in the US

More than 36 GM food labelling bills were introduced across 20 states in 2014 alone, with Vermont being the first to pass a GM labelling bill that does not require the passage of similar laws in other states before taking effect

EXCERPT: At the federal level, a bill introduced last year by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) is continuing to gain Congressional co-sponsors and public support, this in opposition to another bill before Congress introduced by Rep. Mike Pompeo (R-KS) that would only allow for voluntary labeling and take away the rights of states to pass their own labeling laws.

Yesterday, five weeks after the November election, campaigners for Oregon’s Measure 92 – one of the nation’s most closely watched efforts to require the labeling of genetically engineered (GE) foods – officially conceded defeat.

Last month, the measure trailed by less than 2,000 votes, triggering an automatic recount. The recount revealed that the measure had been defeated by a mere 837 votes, making it among the closest statewide elections in Oregon’s history. Though the measure failed, along with similar efforts in California, Colorado, and Washington over the past two years, the narrow margin in Oregon makes me more sure than ever that we will see mandatory labeling soon….